Walking through Commack, one can see yellow ribbons taped on walls of the high school, wrapped around trees and dangling from telephone poles in honor of fallen New York Fire Department lieutenant Christopher Raguso. Raguso was a Commack native who died when his military helicopter hit a power line, while deployed in Iraq.
Following his passing, local businesses, families and Commack residents have participated in “The Yellow Ribbon Project,” in hopes to show support for the family and all the other people who dedicate their lives to serving either their community or the country, while putting their own lives at risk to protect the well-being of others.
This project has had a ripple effect, and even reached within the walls of Commack High School, as the pay it forward club decided that while hallway decorating was going on for Battle of the Classes, they would also hang yellow ribbons around the school in honor of Raguso.
“We used materials such as yellow table cloth to cut and make ribbons and hang them around the school. I personally think it’s important to do things like this in honor of someone who fought for our country because it shows that even when tragic events happen, in a world full of hardships and pain, that we’re able to use love to come together and support the everyday heroes of our community,” said Pay it Forward club member Hannah K.
The Yellow Ribbon Project has raised awareness in the community about Raguso’s contribution to the country.
“The outpouring of support has been unbelievable. For example, in the high school with the yellow ribbons. It helps show his family support and lets them know that his service is recognized, as a military guy, and as a New York City firefighter, and most importantly for our local community, as a Commack Volunteer Firefighter,” said Commack fire commissioner Pat Fazio.
Christopher Raguso joined the FDNY in 2005, and was a first responder who dedicated his life to helping others. According to CBS New York, Raguso had previously deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, the Horn of Africa and even Texas and the Caribbean to help with hurricane relief after Harvey and Irma devastated communities. At the time of his death, Raguso was on his sixth and final tour of duty and had announced that he planned to arrive back home in May at a surprise January sendoff.
“Chris’ work ethic was unsurpassed: he was hard-driven, [and] a tremendous leader that the younger guys looked up to. He was also big into training, and trained a lot of the younger guys. So his impact on the community was huge,” said Fazio.
The overwhelming support from community members is hallmark of the Commack spirit.
“Anytime you have someone that feels the need to serve their country, their community and the people they live around, that is something so admirable, that the community just has to support someone like that. I’ve been living in Commack for 52 years, and I am not shocked by the support, it just goes to show you how much people in our community really do care,” said Fazio.
After this tragedy, The Yellow Ribbon Project reminds people that it is essential to continuously support and show gratitude for the men and women who gamble with their own lives to protect other people around them.
“This is a crazy world we live in, and I think that it’s important for high schoolers to recognize the people that serve our nation, and also recognize the people that serve the close-knit community. If you see a firefighter, or a policeman, or a service man [or woman], thank them for their service. It can make a huge difference,” said Fazio.l
Sarah E.Published June 2018